Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, 1887-06-21
GARIBALDFS LETTER.
WHY Mr.. MoRoSlNI PRIZES 1T ABOVE
HIS ART TREASURES.

HIS ART TREASURES.
A Wonderful Collection of Curios from
Every Land Hid Away In the Bankers
Secluded Home on the Blum, of th.
Hudson.
On high bluff overlooking the Hudson
and about a mile west of kingsbridge, is
ElmhurSt. the residence Of Giovanni L.
Morosini Surrounded ON three sides by
gently sloping lawns, the house itself
stands upon an eminence that overiookS
many miles Of the most picturesque terri
tory in the state. There are thirty-three
acres iii Mr.. Morosini's domain, a large
part of il being in woodland. The gar
dens, orchards and strawberries give evi-
dence of taste and careful cultivation.
Living in this beautiful and secluded spot.
the wealthy owner has devoted the leisure
of many years 10 the collection of curiosi-
ties from almost every cline under the
sun. Hardly a month passes that he does
not add to his already enormous accumu-
! l. ton Of curios, and he has already eN-
pended fortune in gratifying this passion
/ for the antique. Few persons in this city,
even among his acquaintanceS, have
known Of this peculiar trait of character
I in the Wall street operator and partner Of
Mr.. Gould, and still fewer are aware tina,
the tranquil looking mansion on the banks
of the Hudson is yeritable arsenal with
in, and holds treasures probably rarer and
of greater value than are 10 be found in
. any private collection of arms in this
country.
A reporter who enjoyed the privilege
of private view of this collection found
il particularly rich i'll specimens Of an
tique armor. In the main hall the visitor
Is confronted On either SIDE by silent forms
that recall the collection in the Tower Of
London. Tall knights in full panoply,
surmounted by nodd' ag plumes, are
ranged in long lines.
THE MAIN COLLECTION.
Four large rooms are devoted to the
main collection. which is a surprising one
both in extent and variety. one room
presents the appearance of All arsenal
BY the window are two brass cannon, sur
rounded 10y dragons heads at the muZzle.
These Were taken 10y British war ship
from Chinese pirate. Alongside are two
smaller pieces Of ordnance that did ser
vice in the German wars at the time OF
Gustavus Adolphus. Ranged along the
walls and in the center of the room are
large cabinets containing a mass OF
weapons sufficient to equip a full regi-
ment. Guns, smooth and riiied. of every
conceivable pattern, from the beautifully
decorated and inlaid weapon of the Moor
10 the modern repeating rifle; Tartar
guns, with eNquisitely wrought silver or
namants, some with barrels of shining
silver, and others Of copper: wonderful
Arab guns with long and deadly looking
barrels, that recall the old time Kentucky
rifle; blunderbusses and odd looking fire
arms from the East; Dutch, German,
Austrian and Russian guns. and a score
or more of the venerable flint lock mus
kets that We're the immediate predecessors
of those used in Revolutionary days
There are, too, arquebuses and ugly look
ing pistols of Cromwell's time, with
match lock and wheel. looking al which
the observer no longer wonders at the in
junction of the stern old protector To his
soldiers as TO keeping their powder dry.
In the same room are q number Of
swords of rare workmanship and value.
Bright cleaning blades from Toledo with
hilts of gold or silver, and scabbards that
show the highest skill of the metal work
er's art; swords Of Damascus steel, with
utnCatelN lnlalu anu CurlouSlN formed
hilts; keen curved blades that have doubt
less been worn by some Chinese prince or
Japanese daimio; long, dangerous looking
rapiers of Venetian make. that have prob
ably spitted many "A victim; the Scottish
claymore, the jeweled cimeter Of the
rajah, the scarcely less decorated weapon
of the Circassian, and the heavy cavalry
swords of the German and Austrian cav
alryman. The Japanese and Chinese
swords are a study in themselves. One Of
the most remarkable pieces i'll the collec-
ton is a ponderous two edged sword
seven feet long that was said 10 have been
used in the Spanish inquisition. 1t pre-
sents a remarkable contrast TO the light
and elegant court swords worn by Euro
pean officers of high rank, of which there
are a number in the collection. Near the
latter are the rude native weapons of the
cannibal tribes or New Caledonia, the
French penal colony-circular axes of
flint with long heavy handles, and great
clubs with wicked looking sharp knobs all
over them, and doubtless effective as
missionary persuaders."
LETTER FROM GARIBALDI.